Liverpool supporters have hailed the imminent transfer of Aberdeen defender Calvin Ramsay to the Euro giants as a “great piece of business by both parties.”
Premier League Liverpool are set to make their move for 18-year-old right back Ramsay this week.
Ramsay has been on Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp’s radar for months and it is understood Liverpool will move for the teen in the next few days.
A bid in the region of £4m plus add-ons is expected from the English cup double winners.
It would smash Aberdeen’s club record transfer fee of £3m received for Scott McKenna’s move to Nottingham Forest in September 2020.
Liverpool manager Klopp views Ramsay as a potential understudy to England international Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Leeds United and Bologna are also keen on signing Ramsay this summer but Liverpool look to have won the race to land the teen.
Following in Andy Robertson’s footsteps
For a taste of supporter feeling towards Ramsay’s imminent switch to Anfield we asked for the opinion of fans with a foot in both camps – the Aberdeen Official Liverpool Supporters’ Club.
They are excited at the prospect of Aberdeen Youth Academy graduate Ramsay following in the footsteps of Scotland captain Andy Robertson.
Left-back Robertson has won every domestic honour with Liverpool.
Robertson has also lifted the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup with the Anfield club.
David McDougall, Branch Chairman of the Aberdeen Official Liverpool Supporters’ Club (AOLSC) said: “It’s a very progressive step at this stage of his career.
“It is great seeing another Scottish player following in the footsteps of Andrew Robertson and those who followed before him.
“I feel Jurgen Klopp will, as he did when Robertson joined, treat him with kid gloves and mould him into a Liverpool FC player.”
The positive influence of Klopp
Ramsay finished the season with the most assists of any teenage defender in the top leagues in world football.
In a breakthrough season a host of clubs were tracking the teen.
Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City, Southampton and West Ham have all scouted Ramsay.
Aberdeen rejected a £4.8m bid from Italian Serie A club Bologna for Ramsay in January.
The offer was a loan until the end of the season with an option to buy.
Liverpool supporters see Ramsay as an exciting signing for the future.
Peter McDougall, AOLSC branch member said: “It’s an excellent piece of business by both parties.
“Ramsay will fit in well and learn off the best right-back in the country (Trent Alexander-Arnold)
“Having Jurgen Klopp as his manager will only make him a better player.
“Klopp loves to give kids a chance to prove themselves.
“He will be an exciting one for the future of Liverpool Football Club.”
Liverpool supporter ‘over the moon’
German clubs Eintracht Frankfurt and Hoffenheim were also keeping tabs on Ramsay.
Serie A Sassuolo sent a representative to watch Ramsay in action in the 3-1 defeat of Hibs at Pittodrie in March.
With clubs across Europe monitoring the teen, Liverpool boss Klopp has sanctioned a move for Ramsay.
🚀 Calvin Ramsay 👏🏽
⚽ A first ever Aberdeen goal for our @AberdeenFCYouth Academy graduate.#StandFree | @calvinramsay03 pic.twitter.com/NwkhzPBjpw
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) April 3, 2022
Greg McLeod, AOLSC branch member, said: “I’m over the moon.
“It’s the first time I can remember a player moving between the two clubs I love.”
Understudy to Alexander-Arnold
Ramsay has come a long way in a short period since making his first start in a Scottish Cup tie against Dumbarton last April.
Just 15 months on, the Scottish Football Writers’ Young Player of the Year is the hottest prospect in Scottish football.
The Anfield side are targeting Ramsay to develop as cover for first-choice right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Welsh international right-back Neco Williams spent last season on loan at Championship winners Fulham.
Williams was in the Welsh team that beat Ukraine 1-0 to book a World Cup spot on Sunday.
Right-back Williams is expected to exit Liverpool this summer.
Liverpool are reportedly willing to let Williams, 21, leave on a permanent deal.
They have reportedly placed a £15m price tag on Williams with Fulham keen to sign the right-back.
Fans reckon Ramsay will get games
Ramsay recently said he believes he can emulate Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney by becoming an English Premier League star.
He also admitted that he models his game on Liverpool right-back Alexander Arnold.
There is no doubt about the exceptional talent and potential of Ramsay.
But can he get first team action at Liverpool?
Anfield fans believe he can.
David McDougall, AOLSC chairman, said: “I saw his potential at the start of last season.
“I saw Trent Alexander-Arnold type qualities in his crossing and attacking play.
“I feel under Trent’s guidance he will progress over the years into a first team player.”
Peter McDougall, AOLSC branch member, said: “I feel Calvin Ramsay will be a good prospect for the future.
“I can see him playing lots of cup games and learning his trade under Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“That will be really good for him in the long run and for Scotland”
Ramsay racked up nine assists and one goal for the Dons in 33 appearances last season.
Greg McLeod, AOLSC branch member, said: “I think he will have a very big challenge to get into the first team or establish a place.
“However with age on his side, his potential and also learning from the likes of Trent he has every chance.”
